WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was unable to attend a court hearing in
London on US attempts to extradite him, with his lawyer saying he is simply too ill to make an appearance, and has been relocated to his prison’s medical ward.
A statement from WikiLeaks reported Assange’s health had “significantly
deteriorated” from his seven years inside the Ecuadorian embassy, and in
his seven weeks in British prison, he has gotten worse and is losing a
lot of weight.
The court has adjourned the extradition hearing until June 12, and has
indicated that it will be held inside Belmarsh prison at that time,
which may allow Assange to attend, health permitting.
Assange is facing 50 weeks in prison in Britain for hiding in the
embassy. The US wants him extradited, and charges already disclosed
under the Espionage Act would have him facing 170 years in prison.
Assange Too Ill to Appear at Extradition Hearing
Statement warns Assange's health has significantly deteriorated
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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